Oliver Talukder, a Philadelphia-based oboist of Mexican and Bengali heritage, brings a unique blend of cultural influences to the world of classical music. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, Oliver's musical journey began at age 10, and his musical prowess has been honed through years of dedication.

Oliver currently serves as the Second Oboist in the esteemed Opera Philadelphia Orchestra. His versatility and artistry have led him to appear as a guest musician with illustrious ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony in C.

In 2025, Oliver was named the winner of the Cedille Records Emerging Artist Competition, earning a recording contract and the opportunity to release his debut solo album on the internationally acclaimed label. His proposed recording, slated for release in fall 2026, centers around themes of identity, love, and family—drawing on his multicultural heritage and upbringing in Chicago. The program features emotionally resonant works by living and historically underrepresented composers, including a newly commissioned piece inspired by Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. Reflecting on Oliver’s performance, James Ginsburg, competition judge and founder of Cedille Records, noted, “We had brilliant performances all around, but what made Oliver stand out was an innate musicality and imagination in his musical choices—both in terms of what he played and how he played it. He has a knack for communicating to and really communing with the audience. You could really feel it.” With this project, Oliver seeks to expand the oboe’s expressive possibilities and create an album that resonates beyond tradition.

In parallel with his growing solo career, Oliver has also spent the past two seasons performing with La Orquesta Imposible at Festival Paax GNP in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, under the baton of Alondra de la Parra. Comprised of musicians from world-renowned ensembles, the orchestra is known for its adventurous programming and collaborative spirit. Performing at Festival Paax has allowed him to deepen his ties to his Mexican heritage while engaging in boundary-pushing repertoire with a global community of artists.

A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Katherine Needleman, Philippe Tondre, and Richard Woodhams, Oliver was named the 2024 Presser Scholar and served as Student Council President. His formative years were enriched by the mentorship of luminaries such as William Welter, Xiomara Mass, Robert Walters, Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, and Toyin Spellman-Diaz whose wisdom and expertise have played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic vision. While at Curtis, he held the William S. Mulherin and Joseph F. Baker Fellowship.

A product of Chicago's vibrant music scene, Oliver's musical foundation was laid during his time in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO), the People’s Music School, and the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI). At CYSO, he immersed himself in the main orchestra and many supplementary programs, including Chamber Music, the Ambassadors Program, the Chamber Orchestra, and the Social Media Team. With CYSO, he went on a memorable tour of the Baltics, where he played in Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, and St. Petersburg, leaving an indelible mark on audiences across Europe.

In the summer of 2019, Oliver was selected as a member of Carnegie Hall's prestigious National Youth Orchestra of the USA (NYO-USA), making his Carnegie Hall debut at age 17 and embarking on a transformative European tour to Berlin, Hamburg, Edinburgh, London, and Amsterdam.

Oliver's talent has been further underscored by accolades such as the First Prize in the 2022 Midwest Double Reed Society Competition and Outstanding Instrumentalist in the 2024 Sphinx Orchestral Partners Audition Competition.

Beyond the stage, Oliver is deeply committed to using music as a tool for connection, healing, and shared expression. He approaches every opportunity – whether performing, teaching, or collaborating in community settings – with empathy, curiosity, and a desire to make music personal and accessible. For Oliver, music is not just about performance, it is about presence and the transformative act of collaboration.